Sharad Pawar takes potshots at Prithviraj Chavan

Mumbai: Taking a dig at Prithviraj Chavan for his remarks that there was no issue if NCP wishes to sit in opposition post 2014 polls, party chief Sharad Pawar today said the Chief Minister should restrict himself to affairs of Maharashtra instead of commenting on the political situation elsewhere.

"I have not heard that Congress has entrusted him with the responsibility of looking after the party affairs in Gujarat. Chavan has lot of responsibilities in Maharashtra and he should stick to that. He need not have commented on NCP stand regarding Gujarat poll results," Pawar told reporters after a meeting of NCP ministers at 'Deogiri', the official residence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Prithviraj Chavan. Agencies.

Pawar was responding to media queries on Chavan's reaction to his warning that NCP might reconsider continuing its alliance with UPA in 2014 general elections due to the manner in which it was treated by Congress in Gujarat polls.

The NCP chief had said though his party was alloted nine seats in Gujarat, Congress fielded its candidates in five of them and Congress rebels contested in the remaining.

Pawar stood by his comments against Congress over the Gujarat polls, saying Congress did not do the right thing (in the BJP-ruled state). The Union Minister also sought feedback from Maharashtra NCP ministers on the drought situation in the state in the meeting.

"There is shortage of fodder, education of children in the drought-hit areas and employment opportunities. We have to focus on these areas," he said. A central team, which visited Maharashtra recently, recommended financial assistance of Rs 777 crore for drought relief, Pawar said.

The team's recommendations will be taken up for discussion in tomorrow's meeting of the high-powered committee of which Pawar is the chairperson. Even the Maharashtra government's proposal for drought relief will be considered and will have his full support, he added.